Michelin has become the first tyre brand in the passenger vehicle segment in India to be accredited with the newly introduced star labelling program by the Government of India. The company said in a statement that Michelin Latitude Sport 3 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres receiving 5 Star rating is a real endorsement of its commitment to offering the best of global sustainable technology and state-of-the-art products to its Indian customers. Recently, Michelin became the first brand in India to receive 4 Star rating by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for its made in India commercial vehicle tyre Michelin X Multi Energy Z. 

Manish Pandey, Commercial Director B2C for India Region said, “At Michelin, we believe that for mobility to have a future, it will have to be increasingly eco-friendly, efficient, safe and accessible. After receiving the first 4-Star label for our commercial vehicle tyre recently, we are thrilled to be recognised once again with India’s first 5 Star rating for two of our most popular passenger car tyre-lines in India. For our brand, this first 5 Star rating will add greater confidence among our customers, where they will be better placed to select tyres that are fuel-efficient, safe and contribute to decreasing carbon footprint in the country. We are dedicated to offering our Indian customers the most advanced technology best tailored to keep them safe, comfortable, and efficient on Indian roads.” 

The government of India continues to make consistent efforts towards infrastructure development, with the pace of national highway (NH) construction in the country touching a record 37 km per day in 2020-21. To make these roads safer and drives more efficient, comfortable, and confident, the tyre industry has played a crucial role, with consistent efforts towards creating a more innovative contribution to the industry. As part of an ambitious road map by the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for a smooth transition towards green mobility, a final notification was published in 2021, proposing that the tyres of cars, buses, and trucks meet requirements of rolling resistance and wet grip as specified in BEE Schedule 30 based on Stage-I of the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS). Under this process, Michelin India is one of the first brands to register for both commercial vehicle as well as passenger car segment and was subsequently awarded India's first 5 Star rating for Michelin Latitude Sport 3 and Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres. 

The new regulations will demand that all tyres sold in India meet crucial performance and safety standards such as rolling resistance and wet grip. When this regulation becomes mandatory, all domestic and foreign manufacturer and importers of truck, bus and passenger car tyres will be required to attribute BEE star label to tyres sold in India. 

Michelin Latitude Sport 3 is the third generation of Latitude on-road SUV tyres from Michelin’s global line-up. 

The tyres are uniquely designed to offer the best in the segment, driving
experience, better performance in terms of fuel consumption and an outstanding grip on all types of terrains. It provides better road grip on wet roads with minimal roll resistance, adding to better fuel efficiency. The tyre's exceptional design offers a high level of comfort and maximum torque transfer while braking or accelerating, thus improving steering precision, the release said. 

Michelin said its Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyre is a high-performance, premium SUV tyre developed to deliver unlimited driving pleasure, excellent longevity, impressive braking performance, and dynamic handling. 

AIS conducts star labelling test on tyres on various aspects, such as testing of rolling resistance coefficient and wet grip index. The rolling resistance coefficient test is done on the rolling ratio to the tyre's load. In contrast, the wet grip Index test is done on parameters of the ratio between performance of the candidate tyre and the performance of the standard reference test tyre. Each test must meet the minimum threshold for each star rating band. 5 Star category has a lower limit of 0 kg/tonne and an upper limit of 8 kg/tonne. 

A 5 Star product, on average, consumes up to 9.5 per cent less fuel when compared to any other lower star-rated tyre, co-relating to lesser greenhouse gas emissions, a significant cause of global warming. On an average, there would be up to 750 kg less Co2 emissions when you switch to a 5-star product vs a lower-star rated tyre. As the fuel prices across the globe remain volatile, consumer can save a significant amount of money by switching to 5-star rated tyres, the release added. (TT)

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Hankook Tire, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has confirmed that the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya is scheduled for 12 to 15 March 2026 near Naivasha. This event is recognised as one of the most punishing off-road challenges in the series, set against the backdrop of the demanding African savanna. For this rally, Hankook introduced the new Dynapro R213 soft gravel tyre, featuring an optimised compound for better low-temperature flexibility and superior grip on wet surfaces, while its adaptable structure ensures consistent durability under severe conditions.

Departing from its customary Nairobi start, this year’s competition will concentrate entirely on the harsh gravel terrain surrounding Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Drivers will need to quickly adjust to newly designed, high-intensity stages and refine their race tactics from the very beginning. Spanning four days, the rally consists of 20 Special Stages covering roughly 350.52 kilometres. Competitors will encounter a treacherous mix of deep sand, sharp rocks, expansive savanna sections and the infamous fine ‘fesh-fesh’ dust, all compounded by swiftly shifting weather. In this unpredictable environment, tyre resilience, grip and handling stability are paramount to performance.

The Safari Rally consistently draws significant global motorsport attention. Since its return to the WRC calendar in 2021, the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has achieved five consecutive victories at this event. Nevertheless, strong challenges are anticipated from both the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, promising a fierce contest for the win.

Since taking over as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes in 2025, Hankook has leveraged data from its involvement in over 70 global motorsport championships. The company applies these race-proven insights to advance its ultra-high-performance tyre technology, continually reinforcing its leadership in the field.

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The Board of Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) has resolved to file for bankruptcy for its fully owned subsidiary, Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB. A formal petition has been submitted to the District Court of Gothenburg to initiate the process. This action forms part of the broader company reorganisation currently underway for the parent company and is specifically intended to improve Enviro’s liquidity and support its long-term profitability.

The subsidiary in question operated a recycling facility in Åsensbruk, which was instrumental in validating both the company’s technological processes and the products derived from them. Having successfully fulfilled this developmental role, the facility’s ongoing operations are no longer strategically essential. Given that the site has not been financially viable, the Board determined that filing for bankruptcy for the subsidiary was the necessary course of action.

This decision is projected to negatively impact Enviro’s financial results through an impairment charge of approximately SEK 84 million (approximately USD 9.14 million). Despite this measure, Enviro’s core operations in Gothenburg will continue without disruption, running in parallel with other initiatives being implemented under the reorganisation framework. It is important to note that the company reorganisation applies exclusively to the parent company, Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB, and not to its subsidiaries.

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The Yokohama Rubber Company has confirmed a renewed partnership with KONDO RACING for the 2026 motorsport season, marked by a shared pursuit of victory in the highly competitive SP9 class at the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race. The team will campaign a Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, equipped with Yokohama’s ADVAN racing tyres, across both the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring) and the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).

This collaboration brings together a proven combination. KONDO RACING, under the leadership of Masahiko Kondo, has consistently demonstrated its capability on the global stage, competing in elite series such as SUPER GT and SUPER FORMULA in Japan, as well as enduring the rigors of Le Mans. Their history with Yokohama at the Nürburgring includes a notable ninth-place overall finish in 2019. More recently, the team showed formidable pace in 2025, securing second place in the qualifying race and remaining a contender among the frontrunners throughout the final event. This performance provides a strong foundation for their 2026 campaign, where the objective is a class victory.

KONDO RACING Director Masahiko Kondo

Yokohama Rubber’s commitment to the Nürburgring extends beyond its partnership with KONDO RACING. The company will continue to provide its high-performance tyre technology to multiple leading teams competing in the NLS and the 24-hour race. The overarching goal is to secure another overall championship, leveraging the reliability and handling precision of its tyres to conquer one of the world’s most demanding circuits. This renewed agreement reinforces a longstanding relationship built on shared success in both domestic Japanese competitions and gruelling international endurance events.

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A new study from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has concluded that crumb rubber infill made from recycled tyres and used in synthetic turf fields poses no significant health risk to those who use or observe them. The comprehensive evaluation found no evidence linking these fields to cancer or other health issues for athletes, officials, coaches or spectators, including young children.

These engineered fields, designed to replicate natural grass, are popular due to their low maintenance, water efficiency and durable, consistent surface. Their widespread adoption in California includes over 900 installations. The infill itself consists of small granules from recycled waste tyres, which help keep the artificial blades upright and provide cushioning and traction.

OEHHA conducted the study to support California's sustainability efforts, specifically its Waste Tire Program, which seeks safe and beneficial uses for recycled materials that would otherwise go to landfills. To ensure a thorough assessment, researchers tested 35 different fields, varying in age and location to represent all of California's climate zones. Multiple samples were taken from each field to account for material differences, and air quality was monitored both during active play and at rest.

The study’s scope was unprecedented, analysing over 100 chemicals of potential concern, far more than previous investigations. In collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, researchers simulated human sweat and digestion to identify all chemicals to which a person might be exposed. To understand exposure pathways, OEHHA partnered with UC Berkeley and the University of Arizona. They surveyed over a thousand soccer players, ranging in age from 7 to 71, about their playing habits and observed games to document contact with the turf. The analysis used data from goalies, who have the most frequent contact, to estimate the maximum risk for all players, also considering the potential exposure for a crawling toddler. The final analysis indicated that risks related to cancer, reproductive harm or sensory irritation were negligible.

Kris Thayer, Director, OEHHA, said, "This study should ease concerns about the safety of crumb rubber use in synthetic turf fields. Athletes of all ages can use these fields without parents worrying about this commonly used material."

Zoe Heller, Director, CalRecycle, said, "Protecting public health is our top priority, and California is committed to making sure waste tyres are managed safely so they don’t litter communities or pose risks to residents. CalRecycle appreciates the work of OEHHA and its partners to advance our understanding in support of a cleaner, healthier circular economy."

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